Is my engine toast??

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 1, 2026 | 04:46 PM
  #1  
KountryGravy's Avatar
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
5 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Is my engine toast??

2006 Acura TL with 238k. Bought it in 2019 for $3600 with 197k and only work I've had done are regular oil changes, tires, battery and and alternator. I started getting intermittent flashing cel which would go away with acceleration, idle would be rough when idling in park but moreso when in drive stopped in traffic. The flashing cel went away for 2-3 weeks so i thought "bad gas" and proceeded to get new tires on a Friday. Next day i get on the interstate and make it maybe 5 miles and the cel starts flashing, car shakes and i lose all power. It would not crank over after that which i knew my battery was 6 years old so put in a new one and it would crank but very slowly (see youtube link). Fuel pump? Oil pump? Timing?

Reply
Old Feb 1, 2026 | 10:45 PM
  #2  
EasyLoveRDX's Avatar
Pro
5 Year Member
Photoriffic
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 685
Likes: 172
From: Lowell MA
What codes are you getting?
Reply
Old Feb 2, 2026 | 07:51 AM
  #3  
KountryGravy's Avatar
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
5 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by EasyLoveRDX
What codes are you getting?
Not sure, I don't have a code reader and currently can't have it towed because it's snowed in. The video is best i have at the moment
Reply
Old Feb 2, 2026 | 09:14 AM
  #4  
EasyLoveRDX's Avatar
Pro
5 Year Member
Photoriffic
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 685
Likes: 172
From: Lowell MA
Diag'ing this without codes is next to impossible.

How old is the timing belt?
Reply
Old Feb 2, 2026 | 12:08 PM
  #5  
Jackass's Avatar
Drifting
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,600
Likes: 630
From: KCMO Burbs
Order one of these: https://a.co/d/871LRPr

This way you can at least check the codes out.

You made no mention of ever having the timing belt serviced? Do you know if it has ever been done?
Reply
Old Feb 3, 2026 | 01:55 PM
  #6  
SlippinNSlidin's Avatar
Cruisin'
 
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 23
Likes: 3
I might be mishearing but to me that sounds like poor compression, that would be one of the things I would check along with fuel delivery and if it's sparking. Also get a code reader as mentioned to scan the codes as they are the biggest indication of what went wrong.
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2026 | 05:03 PM
  #7  
Alexns05's Avatar
Racer
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 335
Likes: 57
From: Haiti
Originally Posted by KountryGravy
2006 Acura TL with 238k. Bought it in 2019 for $3600 with 197k and only work I've had done are regular oil changes, tires, battery and and alternator. I started getting intermittent flashing cel which would go away with acceleration, idle would be rough when idling in park but moreso when in drive stopped in traffic. The flashing cel went away for 2-3 weeks so i thought "bad gas" and proceeded to get new tires on a Friday. Next day i get on the interstate and make it maybe 5 miles and the cel starts flashing, car shakes and i lose all power. It would not crank over after that which i knew my battery was 6 years old so put in a new one and it would crank but very slowly (see youtube link). Fuel pump? Oil pump? Timing?

https://youtu.be/07X5pdBCLz0?si=TIYiUkF8ae7vWBse
Everything I’ve ever read says that a flashing CEL is way worse than a solid CEL. I find it mind blowing somebody could see a flashing CEL and say “ehh let me just accelerate through it so it goes away” and then keep driving for another 2 weeks without taking it to the shop or to get the codes read. Lol I wish I had that level of not giving 2 Fs. My life would be so much less stressful.
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2026 | 05:22 PM
  #8  
zeta's Avatar
Suzuka Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 6,891
Likes: 2,205
From: S. Florida
Originally Posted by Alexns05
Everything I’ve ever read says that a flashing CEL is way worse than a solid CEL. I find it mind blowing somebody could see a flashing CEL and say “ehh let me just accelerate through it so it goes away” and then keep driving for another 2 weeks without taking it to the shop or to get the codes read. Lol I wish I had that level of not giving 2 Fs. My life would be so much less stressful.
Here's someone that gets close below.
Originally Posted by brianhed
I have a 2014 RDX with 344K now. Dealership did timing belt service at 115K. I'm trying to kill it, but to no avail.

I love the beating these Acura's can take. I do oil changes erratically and no service. I've probably saved most of the purchase price of this vehicle with lack of service. If it dies tomorrow, I can walk away (literally) and purchase another Acura for the next go around.
Timing belt question when to change - AcuraZine - Acura Enthusiast Community
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Ambam2020
1G RL (1996-2004)
3
Aug 22, 2025 06:10 PM
Sky647
3G TL (2004-2008)
4
Jul 16, 2022 09:45 PM
acuratlman789
1G TSX Problems & Fixes
2
Aug 10, 2013 10:38 AM
crazymjb
Car Talk
5
Jul 20, 2007 08:40 AM
rEYEdin dUrty
1G CL (1997-1999)
14
Dec 16, 2006 08:04 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:13 AM.